Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, authorizes the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency, as defined, under specified circumstances. Existing law defines a “first responder” as an employee of the state or a local public agency who provides emergency response services. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to impersonate certain first responders, including a member of a fire department.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to the impersonation of first responders during a state of emergency.